Editing Lewis and Clark Expedition (section)

=== Observations ===
As the expedition encountered the various Native American tribes during the course of their journey, they observed and recorded information regarding their lifestyles, customs and the social codes they lived by, as directed by President Jefferson. By European standards, the Native American way of life seemed harsh and unforgiving as witnessed by members of the expedition. After many encounters and camping in close proximity to the Native American nations for extended periods of time during the winter months, they soon learned first hand of their customs and social orders.

One of the primary customs that distinguished Native American cultures from those of the West was that it was customary for the men to take on two or more wives if they were able to provide for them and often took on a wife or wives who were members of the immediate family circle, e.g. men in the [[Minnetaree]] {{#tag:ref|aka the ''Hidatsa''|group="note"}} and [[Mandan]] tribes would often take on a sister for a wife. Chastity among women was not held in high regard. Infant daughters were often sold by the father to men who were grown, usually for horses or mules.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} Women in Sioux nations were often bartered away for horses or other supplies; yet this was not practiced among the [[Shoshone]] nation, who held their women in higher regard.<ref>[[#Lewis&Clark1893-v2|Coues, Lewis, Clark, Jefferson 1893]], Vol. 2 pp. 557–558</ref>

They witnessed that many of the Native American nations were constantly at war with other tribes, especially the Sioux, who, while remaining generally friendly to the white fur traders, had proudly boasted of and justified the almost complete destruction of the once great [[Cahokia people|Cahokia]] nation, along with the Missouris, Illinois, [[Kaskaskia]], and Piorias tribes that lived about the countryside adjacent to the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers.<ref>[[#Lewis&Clark1905|Lewis, Clark Floyd, Whitehouse, 1905]] p. 93</ref>